‘Can Do’ soldiers build morale, cohesion during organization day

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, compete in a canoe race, Sept. 18, 2014, at Holbrook Pond, Fort Stewart, Ga., during their battalion’s organizational day. (U.S. Army Photo by 1st Lt. Scott Forsythe, 3-15 Inf., 4th IBCT, 3rd ID)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

09.18.2014

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, also known as the “Can Do” Battalion, spent the day at nearby Holbrook Pond, Fort Stewart, Ga., as part of a battalion’s organizational day, Sept. 18, in order to help build unit morale and cohesion through fun activities and competitions.

After a summer that included a three month mission at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., training cadets and a separate two week mission to support the Academy’s annual branch week, the soldiers of the China Battalion were in need of much deserved relaxation.

“After the busy summer it was nice to have a day to have some fun,” said Pfc. Kiwana Marshall, a human resources specialist from Chicago. “Events like the basketball tournament really gave me the opportunity to work with and learn about guys on my team I haven’t really talked to much before.”

The day’s events included basketball and sand volleyball tournaments that pitted companies across the battalion against one another. While the stakes were high with bragging rights on the line, the games were always kept friendly and respectable. Other classic games such as horseshoes and corn hole invited some similarly friendly competition. Finally, taking advantage of the lake adjacent to the park, the battalion held canoe races and a fishing tournament.

The variety of events ensured that every soldier had the chance to take part in an activity.

“I tried out most of the events and it was a good chance to interact with my soldiers outside of a work environment,” said 1st Lt. Mark McConnell, a military intelligence officer from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. “The corn hole and horseshoes were fun and pretty competitive.”

In between events, the soldiers and their families were able to feast upon burgers and hotdogs straight off the grill that was run by the battalion’s forward support company. In addition, the barbecue, homemade entrees and side dishes provided by the families allowed the soldiers a chance to sample a wide array of home cooked cuisine.

Those who saved room indulged in some of the homemade chili that participants entered into the chili cook off challenge which was judged by the battalion leadership.

Despite the heat, the Can Do soldiers and families enjoyed their time visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. The soldiers of 3-15 Inf. will build upon their busy summer by moving into Expert Infantryman Badge training, taking part in the Vanguard Brigade’s Mission Command Systems Integration Training, and conduct platoon level live fires.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2014
• Date Posted: 10.06.2014 16:34
• Story ID: 144421
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ, US